Explosive cartridge



Nov. 7, 1961 w. F. BROSKE EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE Filed Feb. 17, 1959 INVENTOR. (Amman E BRQsKE United Sta meat --e;ii.' e

Patented Nov. 7, 1961 3,007,409 EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE William F. Broske, Camp Hill, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed Feb. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 793,814 6 Claims. (Cl. 10238) This invention relates to explosive cartridges. More particularly it relates to cartridges which are adapted for use in providing the power means for explosively operated industrial tools.

Tools actuated by an explosive charge have found wide acceptance for uses which require a high thrust delivered by a small compact tool, also such tools are inexpensively operated at sites where conventional power means may be unavailable.

One objection to the use of these tools is the danger associated with the use of explosive tools. Conventional cartridges are liable to explode accidentally if dropped or used carelessly. Additionally the noise of the detonation report is unsatisfactory for use in populated areas or places where other persons are working.

Thus it is an object of this invention to provide an explosive cartridge that cannot be discharged accidentally but can only be fired deliberately. It is also an object of this invention to provide an explosive cartridge that is relatively noiseless and designed to preclude the escape of gasses generated by the explosion.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an assembled perspective view of the device taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIGURE 2.

As shown in the drawings, the cartridge consists of a tubular casing comprising a cylinder closed at one end 12 and by a breech closure having a rim 13 for seating the cartridge in an igniting device. In the preferred embodiment the cartridge may be made of a molded plastic, e.g. polyethylene. Positioned within the cylinder by an interference fit is a wad 14. The wad is disposed from the breeched closure 12 of the casing 10 to form a closed space 16 therewith. A quantity of explosive powder 18 is retained in the space 16.

The wad 14 may also be of plastic, in the same manner as the casing. A flash tube 20 extends longitudinally through the wad so that its inner end communicates with the powder charge 18. The outer end of the wad 14- contains a recess 22 which is concentric with the flash tube 20. The recess 22 retains a cartridge primer 24. The wad may be dome-shaped on its inner surface and have a circular recess 26 about its intermediate periphery. This recess functions as a gas check and traps gasses which tend to escape.

When it is desired to use the cartridge (e.g. in a tool such as identified above), it is seated therein by rim 13 with the primer detonating means extending into the open end of the casing 10. The cartridge is actuated by the detonating means operating on the cartridge primer 24 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 2.

The explosion of the primer in turn ignites the powder charge 16. Since the cartridge is confined in the tool, the explosive force drives the wad toward the free end of the cartridge. Thus because of the inaccessibility of the primer, the cartridge cannot be detonated accidentally e.g. by dropping it or inadvertently striking it. It can only be discharged by inserting a detonating means in the free end of the cartridge and delivering energy to the priming means in such a manner calculated to cause actuation of the primer.

Because the primer is located centrally of the cartridge, the noise of detonation is muffled. Also the breech closure of the cartridge is sealed so that the only opening is in the direction of thrust. Thus there is no possibility of escape gasses leaking out through the back of the cartridge, as is possible in cartridges having a primer seated in the exterior wall.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective against the prior art.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described including a tubular casing closed at one end to form a breech closure and opened at the opposite end, a powder charge in said casing adjacent the closed end thereof, a wad in said casing adjacent the powder charge, the surface of said wad facing the open end of the casing spaced from the open end of the casing, and means in said wad for igniting said powder charge,

2. A shell, comprised of a tubular casing, one end of said casing being closed to form a breech closure, the opposite end of the casing being open, a powder charge in said casing adjacent the closed end, a wad in said casing adjacent said powder charge and spaced fromthe open end of the shell, said wad having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the casing, priming means located in the surface of the wad facing the open end of the casing for igniting said powder charge, and a flash tube in said wad between the priming means and powder charge.

3. A device of the character described including a plastic tubular casing, closed at one end and open at the opposite end, a propellant charge in said casing adjacent the closed end, a plastic wad in said casing with an interference fit disposed from the open end of said casing adjacent said powder charge, and means in the surface of said wad facing the open end of the casing for igniting said charge.

4. A device of the character described including a tubular casing comprised of a thermoplastic material, closed at one end to form a breech closure and open at the other end, a propellant charge in said casing, a wad of thermoplastic material disposed in said casing with an interference fit, said wad being adjacent to said propellant charge and spaced from the open end of the casing, primer means in said wad having its striking surface spaced from the open end of the casing, said wad adjacent the propellant charge is concave to form a gas sealing means.

4 1 References QCited "in the 1e o'f'th'is patent UNITED STATES PATENTS,

49,773 V ,Lugo Sept. 5; 1865 430,229 Garland June 17, 1890 1,270,719 Franklin June 25; 1918 r 1,296,836 Mosher Mar. 11, 1919 1,605,655

-Dupont Nov. 2, 19 26 

